Mercedes wants us to think the C63 AMG Coupe is Faster than a Ducati 848 EVO

The freshly revealed Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe is featured in two promotional videos released by the company. The first footage shows the AMG coupe taking on a Ducati 848 EVO motorbike on some scenic twisty roads. The winner of the duel isn't hard to guess - after all, this is a promotional video for the C63 AMG - but one can't help but wondering if the Merc could stand a chance in front of the Italian superbike if the race hadn't been a friendly one (or at least if the two vehicles would have taken the same route).

However, the appearance of the 140HP Ducati motorbike in the video is the fruit of the marketing collaboration between AMG and the Italian brand announced last year. Scroll down to enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful duel, plus a short presentation of the C-Class Coupe in AMG guise in the second video.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEOS

Mercedes-Benz to Debut Updated 2012 C63 AMG Estate F1 Medical Car at Australian Grand Prix

At this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (March 25-27), Mercedes-Benz will debut its revised 2012 C63 AMG Estate Official F1 Medical Car. The German station wagon has been used in Formula 1 for the past three seasons, but in 2011 it will appear in its facelifted form with a refreshed design and updated technology that includes the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission.

Other new features include the aluminium bonnet with modified powerdomes, the radiator grille, the headlamps and the AMG rear apron, while there’s also a redesign front apron with larger intake apertures and side air vents.

The C63 AMG Estate Medical Car is motivated by a 6.3-litre V8 engine equipped with the AMG Performance Package delivering 487HP at 6800 rpm for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.5 seconds.

Special features of the Performance Package include the variable intake manifold painted in titanium grey and the AMG high-performance braking system with internally ventilated composite brake discs at the front axle.

The car rides on 19-inch wheels shod in tires with size 235/35 R 19 (front) and 255/30 R 19 (rear).

The Medical Car stands out visually from the stock model thanks to its F1 logos, the roof light bar, the stroboscopic flashing LED lights at the front and rear, plus the number plate illuminated with LEDs and displaying the words "Medical Car". Inside it is equipped with four sports bucket seats with six-point seat belts, and comes with two monitors integrated into the centre console for monitoring the race and a radio set for communicating with Race Control.

The SLS AMG that takes the role of the Official F1 Safety Car will join the C63 AMG Estate in the Australian Grand Prix. There are no changes for the SLS AMG that has been used in Formula 1 since 2010.

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New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Aims at BMW M3, Available with 457HP and 487HP [40 High-Res Photos]

True to prior speculation, Mercedes-Benz has lifted the curtain on a high-performance version of its recently launched C-Class Coupe developed by its AMG division. Stuttgart’s answer to the 450HP Audi RS5 and the 420HP BMW M3 coupes is built around the revised 2012 C63 AMG saloon and sticks with Mercedes-Benz’s familiar 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 lump.

As with the sedan model, the V8 powerplant in the 2012 C63 AMG Coupe will be offered in two states of tune. The basic version churns out 457HP and peak torque of 600Nm in EU-spec, and 451HP and 443 lb-ft in US-trim, for a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds [0-60mph in 4.4 sec] and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h [155mph].

Customers can opt for the AMG Development Package that pushes output to 487HP in the EU model and 481HP in the U.S.-spec variant, for a 0 to 100 km/h to 4.4 seconds [0-60mph in 4.3 sec] and a limited maximum speed of 174 mph [280km/h].

There’s only one available transmission for the rear-wheel drive coupe, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed automatic that offers several modes including the Controlled Efficiency "C", "S", "S+" and "M" modes. These are selected through the new rotary control borrowed from the SLS AMG Gullwing model. Mercedes says gear changes in the "S+" and "M" modes take just 100 milliseconds. In addition, there’s a RACE START function that is said to allow “the driver to explore the vehicle's full acceleration capability”.

The range-topping AMG model gets a modified chassis with a separate three-link front suspension, a reinforced multi-link independent rear suspension and a wider track at both ends, plus more negative camber all round and anti-roll bars with a larger cross-section. The high-performance braking system with composite front discs and the three-stage ESP (On, Sport and Off) complete the performance upgrades.

On the styling side, Mercedes’ newcomer stands out from its more timid siblings through a bodykit that includes front splitter, rear diffuser and a carbon fiber boot lid spoiler along with a modified aluminium bonnet and AMG-specific LED daytime running lights. The Coupe model rides on a set of 18-inch alloys wrapped in 235/40 R 18 (front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear) tires.

As for the interior, the two-door Merc gets a bespoke set of body-hugging sports seats with integral head restraints, unique trim and an AMG performance steering wheel with flattened top and bottom sections that was adopted from the CLS 63 AMG.

In Europe, the market launch of the new C 63 AMG coupe starts in July 2011 with prices in Germany set at €72,590. The new Mercedes coupe will make its U.S. showroom debut in September 2011.

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